October Update!

Well it is all a bit dreary at the moment isn't it?  COVID plus winter approaching agh, I am trying to keep positive by not watching too much news, this and the odd sweet treat which certainly helps!

Thrilled to have a published shoot this month in 'Your Herts & Beds Wedding' magazine. This is now an online only magazine, follow this link to read the full shoot plus lots of other fun wedding stuff to see and read! https://www.county.wedding/image_upload/flippingbook/YHBW82/

I have been doing a number of branding photo shoots recently which I love.  I will be adding a new section to my website soon to show some of my recent work.  This was lovely Rachel who was very nervous having photographs taken but looked absolutely amazing!

Photography by the super talented Alison Burrows https://www.ajburrowsphotography.co.uk

Lots of hair styling this month too as well as makeup for shoots, trials and weddings.

I have also designed some face charts because I know what I need from a face chart when I am doing make up lessons for example, so I made just that!  Blank versions of these can be digitally downloaded from my Etsy shop. I am also going to produce physical face charts soon available on textured paper.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Nikicreates?ref=shop_sugg

At the beginning of the month I spent a lovely weekend with my husband in beautiful Cambridge, a nice break from the crazy life we are all living right now.  I had not been shopping in so long I was like a caged animal that had been let loose! 

Out Out COVID Style! It was so nice to get dressed up a bit and have somewhere to go! Although with everything going in the wrong direction at the moment I will be staying safely at home mostly now hibernating during the winter.

Cute poodle pic! One of my little munchkins!

All makeup and hair enquiries www.nikimakeup.co.uk

Super Supplier Saturday! Michelle Shulman @ La Belle Cakes

This month's Super Saturday Wedding Supplier is Michelle Shulman, Cake Couturier & Owner at La Belle Cake Company covering Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and London.  

Michelle established La Belle Cake Company back in 2006 and it is now run by both Michelle and her husband Daniel who joined the company full-time in 2015 . Daniel bakes and manages behind the scenes whilst Michelle is much more about creating all the prettiness with her beautifully skilled sugar crafting.  

I met Michelle some years back at the prestigious wedding venue Luton Hoo Hotel where we are both recommended suppliers.  I can honestly say Michelle is always professional, hardworking, caring and fun and her cakes are delicious as well!

La Belle, make bespoke delicious cakes for all occasions and are luxury wedding cake specialists plus they have also had many celebrity clients along the way which is always nice to know!



Shelley Shulman  Q&A:

What advice would you give to couples currently searching for a Cake Maker?

When looking for a cake maker, look for one that matches your style. Do they types of cake they make look like style of cake you would want at your wedding. And make sure you get the opportunity to try some cake too! After all a cake need to taste as good as it looks! 

How far in advance should a couple book you?

We recommend couples book at least 12 months in advance. Whilst we don’t have to confirm an exact design at the point, booking early ensures you get the suppliers you want for your big day. 

What is your top tip for Brides?

My top tip for brides is to remember the phrase 'two many cooks spoil the broth’. Whilst it is lovely that friends and family want to be involved, sometimes their well meaning opinions can get overwhelming and your wishes can get lost. We limit the amount of people who attend our consultations so that our focus remains 100% on the couple and what they want. 

Why do you love working in the wedding industry?

It may be a cliche but it is wonderful to be surrounded by love! It is such a happy industry to work in and it is a true honour and privilege to be included in one of the biggest days in a persons life! 

Describe your style?

We create, what we would describe as 'clean and fresh' wedding cakes. Modern and contemporary with beautiful detailing and a flourish of sugar flowers. 

Why should a couple choose you?

The wedding cake is one of the most photographed parts of the wedding day. In fact it’s one of the only parts of your ‘wedding decor’ you actually ‘pose’ with so it is so important it is perfect. We work closely with all our couples to make sure they have the perfect wedding cake for the picture perfect cake cutting moment.

If you have a vision for your dream wedding cake La Belle Cake company can turn it from your dream into reality.

See more of Michelle's work and get in touch with Michelle below:

https://labellecakecompany.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/labellecakecompany/
https://www.pinterest.co.uk/Labellecakeco/boards/
https://www.instagram.com/labellecakecompany/

FRIDAY FAVE! Charlotte Tilbury Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes! Mascara

As a long time lover of Charlotte Tilbury 'Legendary Lashes Volume 2' mascara I was eager to try out the new much hyped 'Pillow Talk Push up Lashes!' mascara.

Firstly it looks nice! This mascara is beautifully packaged in rose gold and pale pink, a makeup lovers dream.  

I quickly noticed it is "super" jet black and I mean "super" to without doubt instantly define and add volume to lashes.

Smudge proof, humidity proof and no lash curler is apparently needed... although I have still been using my curlers and have not noticed a significant difference...

This mascara will definitely achieve volume, length and stretch lashes plus has a 24 hour vertical lift effect!

Your eyes will instantly appear bigger, brighter and more awake, now who doesn't want that?

How to apply it and yes you do need instructions!

Firstly hold the mascara wand horizontally and use the flat side of the wand to push up the lashes from the lash root.

Now twist the wand to the brush side and comb through the lashes form the root to the tip, wiggle the bristles from side to side to help separate, define and lift.

Now use the wand vertically to precision paint lashes at the inner and outer corners.

Mascara lesson over!

Now lets get to the technical bit because there definitely is one....an innovative injection moulded mascara paddle brush complete with load, comb and lift technology will lift lashes like air, vertically painting each individual lash (yes, even those tiny awkward ones!). The diamond shaped bristles follow the lash architecture for a magnifying and amplifying effect.  A push-up lash lifting polymer (derived from the Larch tree) helps create a push up vertical lift and hold of the lashes.  Natural waxes like carnauba add body and texture to the formula for weightless volume and a false-lash finish.  Plus it contains KERESTORE 2.0 (keratin) which conditions lashes to create a thicker look and feel.

This mascara is seriously smart!...maybe a bit too smart even for me.

Here is my verdict.  Although I love it and the effect it achieves I have to think about what I am doing a bit too much when applying it.  Believe me when I say you could easily get in a mess with this mascara, this takes expert skill and time to apply you simply cannot pop this one on in a hurry.  A bit too much of a "faff" for many but worth it if you want the best lashes you have ever seen perhaps.  Certainly not for everyone but for the lash obsessed looking for the holy grail mascara this might just be it.  I however will be sticking with my Legendary Lashes volume 2 mascara which I am more than happy with and requires less thinking on my part!

Definitely worth a try but it will be like marmite you will love or hate it!

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Super Supplier Saturday! Huntsmill Farm

This month's Super Saturday Wedding Supplier is wedding venue Huntmill Farm in Shalstone, Buckinghamshire.

The Huntsmill family consists of Chris, Fiona, Henry and Ruth.  Chris is the farmer, Fiona runs the self catering cottages, Henry is the 'weddings man' and Ruth deals with social media and marketing.

Henry and Ruth themselves married at the farm in 2014 this inspired Henry to create the perfect wedding venue!  They converted the last barn on the farm's stunning courtyard in April 2017, work was completed in May 2018 and now the barn is a beautiful feature.  A space where you can get married with accommodation located onsite around the stunning courtyard. The quiet location means you and your guests will not be disturbed and you can even decorate the barn and gardens however your heart desires!

They have a lovely group of preferred suppliers who have all worked at Huntsmill weddings, which I am lucky enough to be a part of.  If you are searching for your perfect country wedding venue Huntsmill farm is the place for you!  

Emily Fensome, Wedding & Events Coordinator, is the newest addition to the Huntsmill team and has answered my Q&A below.

As the images below show the team are full of fun and energy to make your wedding day extra special!  

Emily Fensome Q&A:

What advice would you give to couples currently searching for a wedding venue?

Decide what your ‘tick boxes’ are before researching venues and enquire into venues that best match your criteria.  Always trust your gut instinct as it will always do you right and make sure you feel in good hands from the start of your enquiry to visiting the venue.  Having a good rapour with the venue’s staff will definitely help to make the planning of your big day so much more enjoyable.

How far in advance should a couple choose a venue?

We recommend 12-18 months as dates start to fill up quickly during the engagement seasons, however we have seen recently those that can turn their big day around in 6!!!

What is your top tip for couples?

Enjoy the whole process, the day goes by so quickly so really treasure the planning as well as the wedding day itself.

Why do you love working in the wedding industry?

Mainly being part of each couples wedding day and being one element that helps to provide them with special memories.  We love meeting people and seeing people enjoy our venue as much as we do!  The Industry has fast changing trends constantly so its nice to have your career continue to give you wow factors!

Describe your Style?

Rustic, current and family orientated.

Why should a couple choose you?

There are so many reasons!  Aside from its beautiful grounds, perfect photo backdrops and amazing staff(!!!) it provides the ultimate wedding experience. The stone barn is so versatile in complimenting any theme or colour and allows each couple to make it their own.  The free flow of the barn also ensures guests are able to enjoy all aspects of the day.  The accommodation is so unique in terms of providing a home from home experience and creates such a social atmosphere.  It enables couples to have an extended celebration period rather than just the wedding day itself.  Huntsmill also transforms from day to night and creates the most beautiful ambience during the evening and continues to give wow factors throughout the day.

https://huntsmillweddings.co.uk

@huntsmillfarmweddings

September Update!

September is my Birthday month so we spent five nights in beautiful Norfolk, it was lovely to get away!

#staycation #anotheryearyoung 

My pooches love the beach and Norfolk is their favourite place to holiday!  We visited stunning Houghton Hall https://www.houghtonhall.com definitely worth visiting if you are nearby. We were lucky enough to see the Anish Kapoor exhibition (on until November 1st) whilst we were there which was amazing.

Beautiful Norfolk Countryside

They are such nosey dogs!

Obligatory Doggie portraits at the beach.

Hours of fun!

Houghton Hall Anish Kapoor exhibition

Afternoon tea at https://www.visitpetals.co.uk Our favourite tearoom we always visit on a Norfolk trip, dog friendly too!

Straight back into work which is honestly brilliant I am so grateful that I have actually had quite a bit of work throughout August and September.  As a freelancer it is very difficult at the moment especially with the wedding wedding and events industries really struggling so I am immensely happy to have some work at least as I love my job.  I have had a mix of weddings, shoots, trials ahead of weddings (fingers crossed) and makeup lessons as well as having the time to be involved in some fabulous bridal styled shoots working with other talented wedding industry suppliers.  This was actually on my goal list of things I wanted to achieve this year as normally I am too busy with general work to have any time for the creative part but COVID has been positive in the fact it has given me more time!

Behind the scenes on a branding shoot with the super talented and lovely Alison, if you need branding pics she is your girl! https://www.ajburrowsphotography.co.uk

Back at Luton Hoo https://www.lutonhoo.co.uk/golf-course-hertfordshire where I am lucky enough to be the recommended Makeup artist, it was so good to be back and working with the totally gorgeous bride Reiss! 

Also back at St Michaels Manor https://stmichaelsmanor.com another local venue where I am lucky to recommended.

 Loved creating this beautiful updo for bride Sam.

Just how excited was Sammi to be getting married?!

Behind the scenes on a recent styled shoot. Photo https://fjsweddingphotography.com

This was me talking a quick snap while I was waiting around on a shoot, I wasn't even going to post it but it turned out to be my most liked post ever on Instagram so I am glad I did! How funny...

All Bridal enquiries via www.nikimakeup.co.uk and shoot enquiries via  www.nikimakeup.com